Cool webpage on oil filters...

[Wayne 962]

Kenny at AutoWerkstatt sent me this cool link on oil filters, worth checking out: Oil Filters Revealed - MiniMopar Resources

-Wayne

[JFP in PA]

Only problem is some of the article’s data age: It is twelve years old. Since it was written (and last updated), several of the suppliers have switched manufacturing sites (both OEM and aftermarket) multiple times, resulting in vastly inferior products. If you cut apart example filters of the same brand from 1999 and 2011, everything from the media pore size to the type of materials used changed when some brands went to Chinese suppliers. One of the filters that many knowledgeable sources felt were one of the best in 1999 is now considered one of the worst………..

[Wayne 962]

Good point, I didn't really check the dates on that. I think Mahle filters are a good bet. I also tend to like the Mobil-1 filters. In general, I don't like to cheap out on oil filters - it just doesn't make long-term sense. I think Porsche filters are okay too, but these days, they are outsourcing everything too, so you never really know.

-Wayne

[JFP in PA]

Well, while I hate being the contrarian, I have never been impressed by Mann or Mahle filters. As we change a lot of oil in season, we see a lot of the OEM style filters after varying lengths of usage. Over the years, I have personally removed more than a few of them that had obvious problems, most notably leaks around where they seal to the engine and filter housing caused by tears in the treated paper end caps, as well as separation of the filter media from the end caps at the glue lines. Either of these conditions can lead to oil by-passing the media, which is never a good thing.

Years ago, we started looking for a better filter, particularly for the cars we knew were going to be subjected to a lot of track time or other abuse. As this was before Charles at LN developed and sold his spin on filter adaptor, which I have a very high regard for, and because there will always be a lot of owners that do not want to go that route for various reasons, we started looking at and testing alternatives. Interestingly, we found a readily available OEM style filter that was not only much better constructed, it also used a filter media that was about 30% finer in pore diameter than the Mann or Mahle units for better oil filtration, and it was much cheaper than the OEM stuff to boot.

The OEM style filter we use is from the Wix/NAPA Gold line, #57211:



It uses molded plastic end caps that totally encapsulate the butt ends of the filter media, preventing any possible leaks; and likewise prevents any leaks where the filter seals to the engine and canister. We have used them for many years, never had one fail. Worth a look…………..